Refugee Commission condemns attack on NOUN facility, says committed to mandate

The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, has said that the commission will continue to stand on its established mandate.

Ahmed said this against backdrop of the recent attack on the National Open University (NOUN) Centre in Nsu Ehime, Imo State.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the commissioner expressed deep dismay over the attack on NOUN facility and strongly condemned the violent actions that resulted in the burning of the university premises and several homes in the area.

"The National Commission remains committed to its mandate of supporting returnee migrants, refugees, displaced persons and will continue working towards establishing centres that offer hope and empowerment to affected individuals," Ahmed said.

Zahra Ahmed Rufai, Head Press and Public Relation Unit of the commission, in a press statement, stated that the commissioner had visited the National Open University Centre in Nsu Ehime Mbano to assess its potential as a skills acquisition centre for training Persons of Concern (POCs) and six youths from the five South-eastern states.

The statement noted that the visit was solely intended to explore the possibility of utilizing the centre for vocational training and rehabilitation, benefiting the most vulnerable in society, including displaced persons and at-risk youth.

The centre was intended to support returnee migrants, refugees, displaced persons, and victims of floods or communal clashes.

"Unfortunately, misinformation spread by certain unscrupulous individuals regarding the purpose of the visit and the facility’s intended use sparked tension in the community. 

"This tension ultimately culminated in the attack on the university premises," the commissioner added

Ahmed emphasized that  the media played a significant role in misrepresenting the purpose of his visit after a press briefing in Imo.

The Commissioner strongly condemned the attack, reiterating that such misinformation-driven violence jeopardizes efforts to provide essential support to vulnerable communities.

He further urged the media and the public to rely on accurate, verified information and called for calm in the wake of the incident.